[SealBeachCA]

So lately I've been contemplating on what I should do about my engine.

I currently have an L98 350 TPI with roughly 160k miles on it. Would the better route to rebuild it on the current block or buy a 350 crate motor for 2g ?

I plan on super charging her later on in her life. For the most part, I want to rebuild it with better internals to boost the current horse power more and do a couple other bolt ons.

Any thoughts ?

 

[jrzvette]

Rebuilding will retain your original block (and possibly heads, etc) so that your car will be a matching numbers car (if that will ever matter with a C4). Also, with rebuilding you can do exactly as you want for current and future use and also gain experience if you're going to do it yourself.

A crate engine, on the other hand, is "plug and play" and there are many different options/ hp ratings to choose from. Don't let the fact that a crate engine is "guaranteed" lull you. Many times the guarantee covers the defective part but not the labor to replace it or any collateral damage. So if a rod bolt breaks and you throw a rod through the block the manufacturer will replace the bolt, the rest is your dime.

 

[vettecop]

Crate motor - no thought involved for me. I put a crate 330hp vortec in a 79 Vette and swore at that point I would never do anything else with a project. All that performance with a 3 year warranty. artyon:

 

[glasrtlr]

i ''roll my own'' because i already have all the tools and experience to build better and a bit cheaper than i could buy...crates from the general are hard to beat for most though, locals that have gm crates are riding em hard and long...aftermarket crates are not doing so well.

 

[SealBeachCA]

Although a crate motor seems very tempting, I think I'm going to have my current block rebuilt. Before I get it rebuilt, I can get it tested to see if the block is still strong enough, right ?

For the internals I don't want go all out but overall better performance. I'm thinking the eagle rotating assembly kit from summit for around $600 so far. I haven't decided which cam will go good with it.

Along with this project, I want to purchase new headers, new intake, open air box, and a rebuilt or brand new transmission. ( Mine's automatic ).

Thanks for the information you guys gave me so far.

I don't know how to rebuild engines yet but I'd like to learn. I have a friend who's going to begin attending UTI in Rancho Cucamonga, California in August or so; 1 year long basic certification class (ASE) then he's heading for the 4 month program to work for BMW. (That's where the moneys at atm ). Hopefully, he can teach me, or I still have a friend who has a mechanic who can do it for me.

Before I do that, I need to figure out the rest of the internals I'd like to throw in there that'd work well with the rest of the upgrades I want to throw in.

Can anyone help me with that ? What's the difference between a flat & dished piston ? What's stock in my current ? How would either of them work in there, for instance, if it's dished and I buy flat, what do i have to do ? Or should I just stick with its original intent ?

Thanks.